PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

 

 

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in a Public Hearing Session at the Media Center, 508 John Dale Dr., Ste B, Vidalia, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 6:00 o’clock p.m.  The meeting was called to order by Fred Marsalis, board member, in the absence of the president and vice-president, who declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.

 

Mr. Tom O’Neal, Business Director, opened the public hearing by giving the Board Members a copy of the Consolidated Budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and passing out copies of a summary of the budget to members of the General Public.  The summary was available in the board members’ folders.  After going over the budget, O’Neal asked for any questions or comments.  There were none.  Mr. Butcher asked for a motion to close the public hearing.  It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to close the public hearing.

 

 

 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF CONCORDIA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

 

 

The School Board of the Parish of Concordia, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session at the Media Center, 508 John Dale Dr., Ste B, Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 6:15 p.m., following a public hearing regarding the current year’s budget.  The meeting was called to order by Board Vice-President Fred Butcher.  Before the prayer and the Pledge, Vice-President Butcher asked for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of September 11, 2001.  Afterward, Mr. Butcher declared that the Board was ready for the transaction of business.  He noted that comment cards were available on the table with the agendas.  He explained that if anyone wanted to make a comment regarding an action item on the agenda, they should fill out a comment card and bring to the table where the board members were seated and they would be acknowledged when the item they were interested in came up.

 

Board members present were Mr. Fred Butcher, Mr. Fred Marsalis, Mrs. Vanessa Houck, Mr. Derrick Carson, Mrs. Angela Hayes, Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mr. Matt Taunton and Mr. Wayne Wilson.  Mrs. Lisette Forman was absent.

 

Superintendent Toyua Bachus recognized three students who had perfect scores on last year’s LEAP test with certificates from the school board.  All three students attended Vidalia Upper Elementary:

 

            Conner Coldiron, 3rd Grade, Science

            Bailey Michot, 3rd Grade, ELA

Heidi Tyson, 4th Grade, Social Studies

 

Ms. Augusta Edwards addressed the board next, introducing the new radio station, KYEA 96.5 FM, and their initiative “Keep it Up.”  This is for children who are dealing with behavioral and academic challenges, such as

·         low grades,

·          poor attendance,

·         disciplinary issues and

·         low self-esteem. 

She explained that with this program, we want to take the worst kids in the schools and turn them around.  Working with the school counselors, we want to encourage the students to apply for one of our scholarships.  Acknowledging Mrs. Bachus’ support and assistance, she indicated that one of the primary challenges has just been getting the parents to sign the applications.

 

The committee reports were given next.  The Educational Policy report was given by Mrs. Parker, the Finance Committee report was given by Mrs. Houck, and the Building & Grounds Committee report was given by Mr. Carson.  Brant Young with Bryant Hammett & Associates spoke about the football fields and the problems the fields are having.  They are waiting on test results on soil samples that were submitted.

 

It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the August 14, 2025, meeting.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mrs. Houck and unanimously carried to approve the invoices in the amount of $5,634,509 for the month of August 2025 as presented by Mrs. Patricia Sessions. 

 

Superintendent Bachus presented the Personnel Report in Mrs. Rhonda Moore’s absence.  The report was available in the board members’ folders.

 

 

 

Concordia Parish School Board Regular Meeting

Educational Policy Committee Meeting

Personnel Announcements

September 11, 2025

 

Appointments:

 

Cedric Saulsberry, 12 Month Head Custodian, Ferriday Upper Elementary School, effective August 18, 2025.

 

Barbara Brown, SFS Technician, Ferriday High School, effective September 2, 2025.

 

Martika Robinson, Paraprofessional, Vidalia High School, effective September 9, 2025.

 

Christina White, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Central Administration Maintenance, effective September 16, 2025.

 

Lisa Beach, Paraprofessional (Guidance), Vidalia High School, effective August 12, 2025.

 

Resignations:

 

Barbara Brown, SFS Technician, Ferriday High School, effective July 28, 2025.

 

Sonya Woods, Teacher, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective May 23, 2025.

 

Amanda Crane, Paraprofessional, Vidalia Lower Elementary School, effective May 23, 2025.

 

Leaves:

 

Stephanie Sandrock, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, FMLA, effective August 4, 2025 through October 8, 2025.

 

Jenna Bannon, Teacher, Vidalia Junior High School, FMLA, effective September 4, 2025 through November 27, 2025.

 

Rhonda Moore, Personnel Director, Central Administration, FMLA, effective September 9, 2025 through October 27, 2025.

 

Retirements:

 

Tangela Bowman, SFS Manager, Monterey High School, effective August 29, 2025.

 

The board considered the second reading of the Correction to the Revised Policy, IFA, Instructional Materials.   It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Hayes and unanimously carried to adopt the second reading of the Correction to the Revised Policy, IFA, Instructional Materials.

 

Superintendent Bachus informed the board that she had forwarded the Cell Phone Policy to our attorneys for a review of the suggested consequences for a policy violation.  She then indicated that after review, Mr. Guice informed her that the policy should remain unchanged as things such as violation consequences may not be in the board’s authority.  The superintendent informed the board that a draft of the policy had been forwarded to all of the principals for review and possible discussion.  Mr. Carson noted that this is a national and state issue, not just a Concordia Parish issue.

 

 

Mr. O’Neal requested approval of the Consolidated Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 as presented in the public hearing prior to the regular meeting tonight.  He noted that the five recreational buses were included in the budget.  It was moved by Mrs. Parker and seconded by Mrs. Hayes to approve the budget.  A roll call vote was requested:

 

            Mrs. Parker         yea

            Mr. Marsalis        yea

            Mrs. Houck         yea

            Mr. Carson          yea

            Mrs. Hayes         yea

            Mr. Wilson          yea

            Mr. Taunton         yea

            Mr. Butcher         yea

The motion passed with 8 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent, and 0 abstentions.

 

Mr. O’Neal discussed this year’s $1,000/$2,000 stipend and explained that it must be disbursed by December 15, 2025, which is our first pay period of December.  It was moved by Mrs. Parker, seconded by Mr. Taunton, and unanimously carried to disburse the stipend on December 15, 2025.

 

Mr. Butcher asked the board to combine Items F - Consider Approval of Bids for Replacement of Water Line at Ferriday High School, and J - Update on the Ferriday High School Project.  Brant Jones with Bryant Hammett & Associates gave an update on the school project.  He indicated that the replacement of the electrical lines in front of the school should be completed by the end of next week.  He indicated that the asbestos abatement in the library/administrative area that had caused a delay, has now been completed and that he hopes to see some real progress in the next couple of weeks. 

 

Mr. O’Neal presented the bids received for the water line replacement project.  We gave it out with two options, a boring and an open trench.  The high water table in Ferriday has caused some issues, but it appears that boring will be the best way to go.  It was moved by Mr. Carson, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to accept the low bid of $98,250 as a base bid, and boring at $29,925 by Greenbriar-DSLP from Brookhaven, Ms., for a total low bid of $128,175.    

 

Mrs. Jennifer Sharp, RN, our senior nurse for the district, presented the Anaphylactic Protocol and answered questions from the board.  It was moved by Mr. Taunton, seconded by Mrs. Houck and unanimously carried to approve the Anaphylactic Protocol as presented

 

Superintendent Bachus requested the board to consider approval of $1,000 to be given to each school when they begin each new athletic program for start-up funding.  It was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Parker and unanimously carried to double the amount requested, to be $2,000, for each new athletic program for start-up funding.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Houck, seconded by Mr. Carson and unanimously carried to approve the District Professional Development Plan.

 

Mr. Carson noted that the board had previously asked for a code of conduct for the student athletes, indicating that he has spoken with Superintendent Bachus and is asking specifically to develop a code of conduct for anyone involved in extracurricular activities representing the schools; such as football, basketball, band, cheerleaders, chess club, etc.  Superintendent Bachus explained that we currently have a company helping us develop such a code.  She also noted that in addition, they will also review our current discipline policy.  Mr. Carson said this will be something fantastic and will help the kids win on the field and in their lives.

 

Superintendent’s Announcements:

·         It’s football season and we’ve got games across the district! And it’s also volleyball season! Shout out to our Vidalia Vikings who played today in St. Francisville.  We had quite the crowd of fans in the bleachers.  Tennis trials and practice have started as well. 

·         We just finished “Club Rush” at all three campuses.  We are encouraging our clubs at all schools.  Our high schools have eight paid club sponsors, middle schools have five paid club sponsors, and elementary schools have three paid club sponsors.  

 

There was no executive session.

 

There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Marsalis, seconded by Mrs. Houck, and unanimously carried to adjourn.  The time was 7:25 PM.